You are on page 1of 5

Human Resources A-Z Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

360 Appraisal

An appraisal process by which employees are evaluated by a range of people. This can include management, peers, direct reports, indirect reports, or even customers. The term 360 is used to describe the fact that the evaluation takes place by those around the employee in all directions.

9 Box Grid

These are used to help plot employee performance. The axes can be anything required by the organisation but are typically performance vs. potential. Those in box 9 show the most talent and opportunity for progression while those in box 1 should either be encouraged to move up the grid or be managed out of the organisation.

Absence

Absence can account for anytime an employee is not in the workplace or working elsewhere. This could be due to holidays or sickness, amongst other reasons. Organisations should strive to keep sickness absence at low levels to encourage increased productivity.

Action Planning

A plan put together to implement activities that will assist in achieving goals. The action plan process goes from understanding the present situation, to design of actions, right through to implementation and evaluation.

Annual Leave Appraisal

Time off approved by management. Allowance varies between organisations. Typically annual evaluation of performance and achievement of objectives. Objectives set for the following year.

Assessment Centre Behavioural Competency Benchmarking

Extended period of recruitment activities, typically covering one day. Behaviours required for the role that are subject to appraisal and evaluation.

Comparisons made with other organisations, usually within the same industry, or between sectors within the organisation. Especially in the case of an employee survey.

Benefits

Form of compensation for working within an organisation other than salary or wages. Examples include holidays, pension plan, gym membership, private healthcare, etc.

Capability

The ability to perform actions. Dismissal can be made on capability grounds when an employee is incapable of performing their role. This can includeabsence from the organisation.

Change Management

An organisational strategy to anticipate and manage change for continual organisational development and effectiveness, including planning, design, implementation and evaluation.

CIPD

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. The UKs leading professional body for HR and development.

Coaching

Improving job performance through one or a series of conversations with a coach or facilitator. The coach encourages the coachee to determine their own strategies for improving their job performance.

Communication

A vital element of all organisations that can take place in many forms, such as phone, face-to-face, email, notices, etc. Good communication is essential for an organisation to work effectively. Where communication breaks down, problems can persist. All employees should be communicated to at every opportunity.

Competency Competency-Based Interview

A behaviour or skill that is measurable. Measuring competencies during an interview to ensure the candidate has the required behaviours and skills. Typically, this would involve the candidate providing evidence of when they have displayed the required competency.

Core Competencies

The essential skills, knowledge and behaviours that an employee must possess to perform a job effectively.

Culture

The values, beliefs, underlying assumptions, attitudes and behaviours shared throughout the organisation or department. These are generally unspoken and unwritten rules that employees work by. The culture is predetermined by the people within the organisation and it is advisable to ensure a culture fit when recruiting new employees.

Delegation Demotion Development Disciplinary

The assignment of responsibility to another person. Movement to a lower level role. Improving the performance of employees. A procedure carried out as the result of breach of the terms of the contract of employment. Procedures vary by organisation.

Discrimination

Unfavourable treatment as the result of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or other means.

Dismissal

Cessation of contract of employment due to disciplinary, capability, breach of contract or redundancy.

Emotional Intelligence The ability to identify, understand and respond to the emotions of self and (EI) Employee Empowerment others. Enabling employees to take responsibility for thinking, decision-making and innovation within their role.

Employee Engagement An employees commitment to, involvement with and satisfaction for their role and the organisation. Employee Handbook Employee Survey Sets out the expectations, guidelines and procedures of the organisation. Questionnaire measuring the current opinion of the employees in relation to organisational issues. Employment Contract The terms by which both the employee and the employer should adhere while the employee works at that organisation. Employment Law Legislation that governs the employee-employer relationship. Failing to comply with employment law could result in court proceedings and repercussions for the organisation. Equality Exit Interview Equal and fair treatment for all employees. An interview conducted by management or HR to determine an employees reasons for leaving the organisation and views relating to the organisation on

leaving. Extrinsic Motivation Motivation for factors external to the individual, such as money. Typically employees are less motivated by these factors than by intrinsic factors. Feedback Communication of views or opinions relating to behaviour, progress, success, etc. Typically from management downwards. Grievance Gross Misconduct Complaint brought forward by an employee relating to another employee. An act in serious breach of the employment contract and possibly the law that could to instant dismissal, e.g. theft, violence, etc. Health and Safety The responsibility held by the organisation in ensuring that employees wellbeing is not at risk. Hierarchy of Needs Maslows theory that individuals are motivated by 5 needs in ascending order of importance: 1. Physiological, 2. Safety, 3. Social, 4. Esteem, 5. Selfactualisation. HR Human Resources. The department within the organisation responsible for issues relating to the employees. Human Capital Induction Intrinsic Motivation The collective skills, knowledge, and abilities present within an organisation. The process by which a new employee is introduced to the organisation. Motivation for factors internal to an individual such as self-satisfaction, achievement, praise, etc. Job Analysis Break down of a job to understand its individual elements and requirements in order to write a job description. Can be conducted by a number of methods including job shadowing and interviews of current employees. Job Description Job Satisfaction Job Share A full explanation of the job role requirements and responsibilities. An individuals contentment or satisfaction with their job. The same role shared by at least 2 employees, who would usually work part time to produce the work of one full time employee. KPIs Key Performance Indicators. Used to measure progress towards goals andobjectives. Leadership Leadership Development Likert Scale Management and executives skills to lead their teams and organisation. Professional development programs for management and executives to promote organisational development and success. A psychometric scale used in surveys and questionnaires to specify level of agreement with a statement. Mediation Mentoring Intervention in an employment dispute usually by an outsourced professional. One to one passing down of knowledge by a more experienced colleague to support development of a more inexperienced employee. Minimum Wage Motivation The lowest possible earnings for employees as set by the Government. The reason why people behave a certain way. People are motivated by different factors. Understanding what motivates our employees and acting on it can result in increased levels of productivity and performance. Negativity Denial, prohibition or refusal. Negative thoughts within the workplace can lead to lack of productivity making it essential to maintain a positive environment.

Negotiation Networking

Discussions leading to mutual gain. Establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with other business professionals.

Objectives Online Hosting

Mission, purpose or standard to meet within a set timeframe. Employee surveys hosted online with employees using log in details to access their survey. Allows complete anonymity and ease of completion.

Open Door Policy

Every managers door is open to employees. Management are accessible and open to all employees.

Organisational Commitment Organisational Hierarchy Outsourcing

A desire to belong to the organisation, identification with the goals andvalues, and a willingness to display effort on behalf of the organisation. Represents the structure of the organisation made up of layers of responsibility, from top management down. Transfer of responsibility and management of functions or services by the organisation to an external provider.

Overtime

Work done over and above the contractual hours. Typically pay is increased for this work.

Performance Development Plan (PDP) Performance

Record of ongoing personal development of employees including future goal setting.

As above but focussing specifically on how improvement can be made and

Improvement Plan (PIP) what improvement has been made. Performance Management Measuring, developing and evaluating the performance of employees within the organisation, to ensure organisational and individual objectives are effectively achieved. Promotion Psychometric Test Movement up the organisational hierarchy. Tests used to measure a range of aptitudes, abilities and personalities. Typically used in recruitment and selection to ensure job and organisational fit. Recognition Recruitment and Selection Acknowledging, approving or rewarding good performance by employees. Bringing individuals who possess the relevant skills, abilities and personality into the organisation. A number of methods can be used including interviews, psychometric tests, assessment centres and presentations. Redundancy A process whereby employees are dismissed as a result of closure of the business or workplace or a reduced need for employees. Remuneration Resignation Money paid or a benefit given to an employee in return for their services. A written or oral statement from an employee stating that they plan to leave the organisation. Response Rate In employee survey terms, the percentage of employees responding to the employee survey from the total number of employees invited to complete the survey. The higher the response rate, the more viable the results. Retention The ability of an organisation to keep a high hold of its employees. The opposite of turnover. Return on Investment A measure of the profit gained from an investment compared to the cost of the

(ROI) Rewards

investment itself. Acknowledgment of good performance with the provision of benefits over and above those set out in the contract of employment.

Sabbatical

Leave of absence from the organisation, typically unpaid and for a prolonged duration, in which an employee takes time away from their career.

SMART Objectives

An acronym used to describe how objectives should be set. Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. All objectives should be smart to ensure that they can be achieved.

Strategy

A plan setting out long term goals and objectives and how these can be achieved. Can be applied on an organisational or departmental level.

Succession Planning

Identification of high achieving employees who show potential for future management roles and plans for how these employees will be developed to move into these roles.

Suspension

A period of time during which an employee is temporarily dismissed from the organisation while a disciplinary investigation is carried out.

Talent Management

Recruiting, managing, assessing, developing, and retaining key talent within the organisation.

Temps

People employed on a temporary basis to assist with increased workloads or fill the roles of absent employees.

Tribunal

A law court that hears and settles industrial disputes, whereby the employee or organisation believes the other party has breached laws of employment.

Turnover

The ratio of employees that had to be replaced during a certain period to the average number of employees.

Values

Important and enduring beliefs or ideals held by the organisation that typically predict the working culture.

Work/Life Balance

The balance between home and work life. A balance is achieved when an employees right to a fulfilled life inside and outside of work is respected to the mutual benefit of the employee and the organisation. A good work-life balance will lead to increased wellbeing and, possibly as a result, improved productivity and performance.

You might also like